Leadership Training Curriculum
MANAGING MYSELF
(This material is adapted from a talk given by Steve Douglas)
Purpose:
This session is designed to give you a framework by which you can manage yourself.
Objectives: By the end of this session you will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be able to explain why one should manage himself.
Be able to articulate the steps to self-management.
Be willing to begin to manage your life more intentionally.
Be able to lay out an initial plan for your life.
Key Verses: Ephesians 5:15-16; Psalm 90:12
Instructor should bring his/her own planning calendars, etc. as long as it’s not too advanced and
overwhelming. Instructor may want to recommend Managing Yourself by Steve Douglass.
Instructor may also want to share what part(s) of this session have helped him/her be more
efficient in managing him/herself and thereby more effective in ministry.
I. The What and Whys of Self-management
Managing yourself is being a good steward of your time and yourself. It is choosing the right
things to do and doing them right. There are a million and one things out there to distract us. If
we do not plan our time, someone or something will plan it for us. One of the most useful forms
of planning is to use 3/5 cards. Write down the thoughts that come to your mind that need to be
done.
Instructor could have students get into groups of about 4 and discuss which things in this session
have not been well implemented in their life and what they plan on doing to change it. Give about
15 minutes. Perhaps have a few of them share ideas at the end of 15 minutes.
II. Objectives and overview of content.
A. Plan long range. Paul’s plan according to I Corinthians 9:26 was that he might win some.
We need to know the finish line. If I plan long range, I will be ahead of almost everyone.
Planning long range helps me remember why I am doing what I am doing. What are you
trying to accomplish during your life? Year? Month? Day? This helps you make and assess
your progress.
Instructor could say, “It’s been said that if we aim at nothing, we will surely hit it!
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© 2003, The Orlando Institute
Leadership Training Curriculum
B. Schedule your time. How am I going to choose to use my time? Am I going to be just a
dreamer or will I be a doer? Put it on your schedule.
Instructor could show his/her calendar book, schedule, etc.
C. Follow your schedule. Having a schedule but not following through on it doesn’t help much.
Instructor could mention, “We now have computers and palm pilots that can notify/remind us
of important things on our schedule.”
D. Multiply your time. Look for better ways to do things. See Section VI on page 4.
E.
Evaluate. Periodic evaluations need to be made of our planning.
III. Plan long range.
A. Why plan? It helps us know what is important to do and what is not so important. The Bible
gives a good example of what happens when we do not plan long range. Read Luke 14:2830.
B. How to plan.
Instructor could ask, “In what areas could we apply this ‘planning?’ [Answers could be:
outreach, discipleship, studies, etc.]
1.
Pray. James 1:5
2.
Establish objectives. This is the “what” step. Objectives are long-range aspirations.
They answer questions like, “What do I want to accomplish in the next (time period),
and, “How will I know when I’ve reached it?”.
3.
Program. This is the how step. How do I fulfill the objectives that I made? What do I
need to do in what order to reach my objectives?
4.
Schedule. This is the when step. When does each step of the program need to be
completed. It needs to be put into your schedule and done.
5.
Budget. This is the how much or how supplied step. It deals with the resources I will
need to reach the objective. It will include money, people, materials, education, etc.
This is not only money.
C. Application.
Instructor could say, “In your groups, discuss how you believe you need to glorify God (#1),
whether you’re in the teaching or learning stage (#2), and what your long and short-range
objectives are.” Give them about 10 minutes.
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© 2003, The Orlando Institute
Leadership Training Curriculum
1.
Your life objectives. According to Psalm 96:1-6, John 17:4 & Rev. 4:8-11 we are given
a life objective of glorifying God. We are told how to glorify God in John 15:8 by
bearing much fruit. In life, what have you been called to do? In your life, how have you
been called to glorify God? Let’s all leave a legacy of men and women who will be
multiplying disciples.
2.
Overview of life program and schedule. There are various stages in life. Some of us are
in the apprentice stage while others are in the mastery stage. This will determine much
of what we will do. Are we in the teaching stage or the learning stage?
3.
Your objectives for the next five years. We need to improve at setting ministry and
personal goals and then following through.
4.
Your objectives for the next 6-12 months.
5.
Program your budget for the priority objectives for the next 6-12 months.
IV. Schedule your time.
A. Why schedule your time?
Some people do and some don’t. Why don’t we?
Instructor can ask, “Why don’t we schedule our time?”
B. How to schedule your time. It is very important to have a specific time each week when you
plan, preferably at the beginning of the week or before the week begins.
1.
List activities. Make out a “to-do” list.
2.
Ask if tasks are assignable. This might not apply to everyone. This can’t be done
randomly.
Instructor could say, “This is ‘delegation.’ If you delegate, be sure to follow-up/monitor
to be sure that the assigned task is being done.”
3.
Assess priorities. Prioritize your list. What is really important
in your life? I Thessalonians 5:21 & Ephesians 5:15-16 tell us to
evaluate our time and do the best things. Since some things just
have to be done, this is not always possible, but attempt to do so.
As you start with the list, do #1 priority until finished.
Instructor could say, “At the end of the day, you may not have
completed your whole ‘to-do’ list, but you did do the highest
priorities.”
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© 2003, The Orlando Institute
Leadership Training Curriculum
4.
Schedule. What is the best time to do certain things? For example, just after lunch is
usually not a good time to do projects that need a lot of thinking if you are usually sleepy
at that time.
C. Application.
1.
Example of scheduling a 2-hour period of time. For example: What will you do between
7:30 and 9:30 this evening? Make out a list and prioritize. You could watch TV, read a
book, clean room, study the Bible, pray, wash dishes or pull weeds. Prioritize and do this
evening.
2.
Scheduling your next available 2-3 hour period of time. Do daily, weekly and monthly
schedules. Schedule a time to do it.
V. Follow your schedule.
A.
Motivation. Learn to like what you need to do.
1. Ask God to give you a liking to do something.
2. Remember why you do what you do.
3. Enlist the help of a friend.
4. Make a game of it.
Instructor can ask, “How can we ‘make a game of it?’ Any ideas?” [One idea could be
to treat oneself to a bowl of ice cream when a difficult priority is accomplished]
B.
Discipline. Self-control is the fruit of the Spirit. Live it out in your experience by faith.
1. Get a prayer partner to pray with you and for you.
2 Schedule a meeting to discuss it. That will motivate you to prepare.
3. Get started. Just do it!
C.
Sensitivity. Be sensitive to God and others in your planning. Don’t get so involved in your
plan that you forget to listen to God or you run over people.
D.
Peace. Remember that God can give you peace in all situations. Trust Him.
E.
Application. You have been given a couple of assignments to help get you started. Some of
you may already be good at planning, but others may feel intimidated with the thought of
doing all this planning. For those who have never really planned, this can be something that
can free you up instead of making you a slave. You will be surprised at how much you can
accomplish. God bless you as you begin the adventure of trusting God in this very important
area of your life.
VI. HOW TO MULTIPLY YOUR TIME
Instructor can say, “As you look at this list, how can you better multiply your time?”
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© 2003, The Orlando Institute
Leadership Training Curriculum
A.
Learn to say “no.”
Instructor could say, “Is this easy or difficult for your?”
B.
Typical time wasters: Television, this can be the greatest time waster of them all. We need
to be aggressive in not watching much TV. It is a neutralizer of the mind.
Instructor could ask, “Can you think of any other ‘time wasters?’” [One answer could be
“the internet.”]
C.
Travel: Keep a schedule. Make use of travel time (for example – while sitting on a
commuter train you could plan what you need to cover in the next office meeting). How else
can we do so?
D.
Thinking/Studying: We need to find the place where we study the best. We also need to
know when we study best. Most people do not study well after lunch. Do you study best
sitting at a desk or in another position? Some people like to stand while studying. It keeps
them alert.
E.
Pace: Every once in awhile we need a short break from studying or reading. Watch that they
don’t become extended times.
F.
Appointments: Know what needs to be accomplished. Keep on the subject. Know what to
do if the appointment does not show up.
G.
Meetings: Plan before hand. An organized plan helps everyone to keep on track. You can
finish the meeting sooner that way also.
Determine needs for improvement in various areas of your life. Then make a plan to improve in
those areas. Work together with your mentor in these areas.
Note to instructor: With whatever time remains, let the students talk about the “Discussion
Questions.”
Discussion Questions:
1.
Why should we manage ourselves?
2.
What are the steps to self-management?
3.
How will you use this information to begin to manage your life more intentionally?
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© 2003, The Orlando Institute
Leadership Training Curriculum
4.
What kind of initial plan will you lay out for your life as a result of this talk?
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© 2003, The Orlando Institute
Leadership Training Curriculum
SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
6 - 7 am
7 - 8 am
8 - 9 am
9 - 10 am
10 - 11 am
11 am - Noon
Noon - 1 pm
1 - 2 pm
2 - 3 pm
3 - 4 pm
4 - 5 pm
5 - 6 pm
6 - 7 pm
7 - 8 pm
8 - 9 pm
9 - 10 pm
10 - 11 pm
11 pm midnight
Additional
Things
To Do
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© 2003, The Orlando Institute